Black Lives Matter Protest Snarls Traffic at MSP

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The latest developments on a planned Black Lives Matter protest at the Mall of America (all times local):

6 p.m.

Officials say a total of 15 people were arrested during a Black Lives Matter protest that started at the Mall of America but quickly moved to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

Airport spokesman Patrick Hogan says more than 100 protesters gathered inside Terminal 2 and shut down security lines for about 45 minutes, starting around 2:30 p.m. Protesters also blocked roads, causing significant traffic backups.

Hogan says more than 100 police officer responded and 10 people were arrested on various charges, including obstructing justice.

Bloomington Police Deputy Chief Denis Otterness says five people were arrested at the mall protest, which started about an hour earlier, mostly for trespassing and disorderly conduct.

He says about 100 officers from various agencies responded and that no injuries or property damage were reported.

4:30 p.m.

Passengers are again moving through security at terminal checkpoints that were temporarily closed during a sudden protest outside Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

Airport spokesman Patrick Hogan says two checkpoints in a secondary terminal reopened after protesters were dispersed. The protesters connected to the Black Lives Matter movement had flocked to the airport, forcing traffic delays and light-rail disruptions in the process.

Hogan says the 45-minute closure of security lines would likely cause delays for Sun Country and Southwest airlines as passengers go through screening.

Hogan says, "we're in recovery mode now." He said Wednesday was going to be a busy travel day regardless. He called the timing of the protest "unfortunate."

He said multiple protesters were arrested.

2:40 p.m.

A protest that started at the Mall of America has moved to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, where protests have blocked roads.

Airport officials say access to one of two terminals has been blocked by protesters, causing significant traffic backups on nearby roads. Some protesters took a light-rail train to the airport after the mall was closed by police.

Traffic cameras for the state highway department show traffic at a virtual standstill leading to and from the state's main airport. The Mall of America and the airport are only a few miles apart.

Protesters left the nation's largest mall shortly after a rally began Wednesday afternoon, chanting for justice. The protest was organized by Black Lives Matter activists.

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1:45 p.m.

Hundreds of protesters are walking out of the Mall of America, chanting, "What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now!"

The protesters left the mall Wednesday afternoon and were walking toward a light-rail train station outside the massive suburban Minneapolis mall.

Black Lives Matter activists organized the rally as a way to pressure authorities to release footage of a black man who was shot and killed by Minneapolis police last month.

Dozens of stores closed their security gates ahead of the expected protest, and police were patrolling the area.

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1 p.m.

Several stores in Mall of America are closing ahead of an expected protest organized by Black Lives Matter.

More than a dozen stores had shut their gates by early Wednesday afternoon.

Among them were a Starbucks and a Barnes and Noble bookstore. Both stores are near the mall's rotunda, a central gathering point at the massive retail center in suburban Minneapolis.

Managers at both shops directed inquiries to corporate communication offices.

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12:30 p.m.

Special staff members are stationed at every Mall of America entrance ahead of a protest expected to draw hundreds of people to the massive mall in suburban Minneapolis.

Black Lives Matter organizers say the Wednesday rally is meant to pressure authorities to release footage of a black man who was shot and killed by Minneapolis police last month.

Specialized event staff members were searching guests' bags at every entrance of the nation's largest mall an hour ahead of the expected protest. Mall security guards have also cordoned off parts of a central mall rotunda.

Mall officials and Bloomington police have declined to explain their security plans. A judge banned three demonstration organizers from going to the mall, but said she couldn't bar other unnamed protesters from attending.

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